17th Century Chapel Restored to Goa

“Preserved for generations to come, highly historical heritage belonging to Goa, India and humanity”. These were the words of the Fundação Oriente representative to mark the completion of one of the institution’s most high profile restoration and architectonic cultural heritage projects. It involved the Our Lady of the Mount Chapel, in Old Goa, a 17th century place of worship that had long been at threat from ruin with restoration, at the request of the Goa Government, sponsored by the Foundation. There were 30 months of the most intricate work carried out by Portuguese and Indian specialists. A fine example of Mannerism from the first half of the 17th century, its elegance and refined style are relatively unusual among constructions in the European Portugal of that period. The chapel may be classified as the most perfect example of an architectural style that is not Portuguese, Spanish or Italian but actually Goan.